In the UAE, the recruitment scenario keeps buzzing and alive, quite contrary to the popular belief that hiring slows down during Ramadan. Most sectors are booming with frantic UAE Ramadan jobs because industries are preparing to cater to increasing demand from consumers. Such a fasting-and-reflecting-seeming time, during which business is uncharacteristically sluggish, is proving in various sectors to be peak hiring actually; nowhere but in the region where hiring enormously spikes.
Surprising Increase in Employment in Ramadan
For many job seekers in the MENA region, Ramadan is a time when they normally suspend the search for a job, given the shorter working hours and the general slowdown in business. A survey organized by Bayt.com, however, showed a more promising complexion. As per the survey, 79.1% of the professionals in the MENA region devoted the Ramadan hiring season to searching for new job opportunities and professional development.
According to Ramy Labaky, General Director, Bayt.com, Ramadan has a double nature for job seekers; on the one hand, it pretends something cool for hiring, yet most companies are searching for talent. Labaky mentioned that patience and persistence are the soul of time during this period. He believes even if things appear a little stunted, such as Ramadan, the high season in which companies still hire, networking could make a lasting impression.
Actually, all these industries- FMCG, food & beverage (F&B), logistics, e-commerce, and healthcare- are looking to ramp up their hiring. This is driven mainly by the preparations to increase demand after Eid, and that’s why this period is crucial for job seekers to not waste any opportunity of the UAE job market 2025.
Key Industries Where High Demand Is Found
Companies likely would increase activity in anticipation of demand from clients during Eid al-Fitr or even post-Eid. The increase in consumer sales would then necessitate increased employment in several industries. The increase, according to Nicki Wilson, owner and managing director of Genie Recruitment, has been seen in FMCG, F&B, as well as support role hiring. These companies are employed in higher numbers to meet the peak sales runs customary around the holidays.
A good number of industry professionals are conversing about Wilson`s notion of Ramadan being regarded as rude marketing for recruitment activities. “Jobs are flooding in this Ramadan,” she said. Many companies are rushing to conclude hiring decisions just before Eid, which is an extended holiday. Many organizations consider the rush to conclude hiring processes before the holiday an important part of their recruitment strategy.
According to the Bayt.com survey, 69% of professionals maintain that recruiting is heightened during Ramadan. This trend applies especially in customer service fields, supply chain management, and temporary jobs. This time is also when many companies are finalizing their hiring plans for projects starting after Ramadan. Thus, it holds strategic importance for both employers and job seekers.
Networking Opportunities Throughout Ramadan
Ramadan is an interesting time in the UAE and greater MENA regions, and that is when business iftar and suhoor occur in great open-air ceremonies. These events become great informal networking opportunities for both job seekers and professionals alike. Business figures seem more relaxed, industry performers are open to talk, and the ambience positively furtively encourages developing a work contact making it an ideal time to apply for UAE job openings.
“Iftar and suhoor gatherings are great networking opportunities,” Wilson says. “People are more relaxed and open to conversations, which can lead to unexpected career opportunities.” The spirit of another wave of relaxed atmosphere provides a fast track to maintain communication to assist job seekers in being relayed to decision-makers or industry leaders.
Networking during Ramadan is not confined to organized events but also involves all regular interactions. The business world slows down just a little because of shorter working hours, so there’s always a little more time for a big informal engagement, providing professionals an extra chance to cement business relationships with prospects for job offers.
Pre-Eid Rush vs. Post-Eid Delays
Hiring trends during Ramadan can differ according to the timing of the vacancies to be filled and their urgency. Some businesses are fast-tracking hiring decisions to fill vacancies before Eid al-Fitr, while others are delaying recruitment until after the holiday. The speed of hiring will thus depend significantly on the timing of Ramadan.” Yes and no,” explains Wilson, who states that it really depends on the timing of the job search. If you catch the right person at the right moment, urgency can actually speed up the process.” Most companies cannot wait to finalize hiring before the long Eid break to prepare their teams for the months ahead.
Nonetheless, Wilson acknowledged the possibility that some companies eager to close roles are waiting for after the holiday. Thus, jobseekers must understand these factors at play during Ramadan and modify their approach.
The Importance of Follow-Ups
Hunt for jobs during this Ramadan based on following up on one’s application strategically with the advice of experts that suggest balancing persistence with professionalism. A case in point is that “rather than follow up, you can wait and send through an appropriate and polite follow-up a little later as it proves to be more effective than the latter action.” “It’s important to follow up professionally but don’t overdo it,” Wilson advised. “Hiring managers are often juggling several tasks, so a simple and well-timed check-in is much more effective.” Seekers need to respect the less working hours during the month of Ramadan and have their follow-up perspectives accordingly adjusted.
Even so, Wilson reiterated the advice for the job seeker- “Don’t slow down your job search. Hiring is still happening.” During this month of Ramadan, many companies really do hire people actively, so it serves as a perfect period for job seekers to advance their target careers.
Conclusion
Recruitment trends in UAE are ever changing. While many regard this sacred month as an off-season for hiring, the facts featured above tell another story. Indeed, some of the core sectors of the UAE and the broader MENA region are gearing up for weeks of hiring frenzy. Many lucrative industries, including FMCG, F&B, logistics, and e-commerce, are actively announcing additional recruitments this month directed toward fulfilling the extra demand during the holy month which makes it easier to find the best careers during Ramadan.
Of course, there is that unique factor that Ramadan can contribute to, where it becomes a prime networking opportunity for an active job seeker through all the connecting business iftar and suhoor events. Such casual “networking” during Ramadan may even lead to unexpected job openings when maybe people have more time to connect one-on-one.
Hiring during this time may differ with different organizations, however: there are still most roles out there, and job seekers should keep persisting. By intelligently following up strategically and utilizing the opportunities that are open for networking, job seekers will survive the peak hiring period and find fresh career opportunities then.
Indeed, shorter working hours and of the general pace of Ramadan do not make the UAE any less lively ground for recruitment. Both employers and job seekers may engage in this period for the professional benefit and expansion of careers.
